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High Voltage

Not yet published
Expected 26 Sep 26
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Greta is wired to please.

As operator of High Voltage Electric, ever loyal to her friends and family, she’s built a life around making others happy. And it’s a fine life, an acceptable life. A predictable life. Until an anonymous note is left behind for her on a university job site, and Greta feels compelled to answer. 

The resulting correspondence leads her down a mysterious path to a tweed-jacketed geography professor named Ellis Gladstone. But just as fate puts them on the same map, she learns that there’s more to him than his horny-rimmed glasses; he’s been keeping secrets.

While the truth he hides might have darker elements, the way he makes her feel is pure light. Ellis Gladstone could be the type of hazard Greta’s always been warned about: powerful and dangerous, best marked with a lightning bolt and a caution sign. Or theirs could be the once-in-a-lifetime coupling that wields the potential to change their arcs.

How can their connection be wrong, if it feels so right?

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 26, 2026

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About the author

Kate Cole

4 books81 followers
Since meeting Mr. Darcy in English 101, Kate Cole hasn’t managed to shake her obsession with all things happily ever after. A sucker for romance, this Canadian bibliophile is a buttoned-up bureaucrat in the street, spicy romcom writer in her desk seat. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s also a wife and mom in suburbia who can’t get enough of Duran Duran or pedicures that match her current reads.

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Bookish.Helen.
344 reviews28 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 21, 2026
I loved the first two books in Kate Cole’s Women in Trades series, so I had high expectations for Greta’s story. It didn’t disappoint. Greta is an electrician working in her father’s business, and her slow burn romance with Ellis, a geography professor with the hottest green flags I’ve read in a long time, is such a treat. This man knows how to research and reflect, especially when it comes to sensitive situations. Cooper from book two is still my favourite, but Ellis is crush worthy in his own way. More importantly, he’s perfect for Greta. It’s a delight watching these two people pleasers learn how to please each other and themselves.

The beginning of the book felt a bit slow, and it took me longer to settle in than with the previous two. Looking back, the pace works beautifully to reveal Greta’s character. Because the story is told in first person, her feelings colour the early chapters. She’s stuck in a situation of her own making, trying to please her father, keep things steady for the employees, and ignoring her own needs. Her life feels like a bit of a drag, which makes the changes we see in her later that much more satisfying.

Some readers may struggle with the secret Ellis is carrying, but Cole handles it with nuance and logic. This isn’t a black and white situation. It’s meant to be understood in shades of grey, and I loved the way Cole weaves it into the story. It’s original, intriguing, and adds excellent tension as the book moves toward its happy ending.

I always enjoy the female friendships at the heart of Cole’s books, and because this story overlaps with the previous two, we get to see familiar events from Greta’s perspective. The side characters add humour and layers. JT, as usual, steals every scene he’s in. I would absolutely read a book just about him. His humour and quick rejoinders are such a delight. Kate’s family, especially her father, enrich the story too. And the Gen X music references and love for vinyl are wonderful. The twists with the record collections are so fun.

The romance is steamy, emotional, and deeply satisfying in how it develops both the relationship and the plot. Cole writes beautifully, avoids romance clichés, and gives us a thoughtful look at the nuances of relationships. I highly recommend this whole series.
Profile Image for Brittany Steminist Booknerd.
801 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 10, 2026
STEM FMC: electrician; STEM MMC: PhD in hydroclimatology (geography)
Kate Cole is one of my favorite authors, and she's done it again! She has a way of making all of her FMCs so relatable. If you're a woman in a male dominated field, you will feel like she sees you and understands you on an elemental level. Greta was amazing, but I'm not going to lie... I struggled a bit with the plot of this one and Greta's choices. I had to put a lot of faith in Kate to take us through to a complete HEA, and she does... but if this is your first go at a Kate Cole book, it might be difficult to want to stick with it. All I can say is trust the process.
Speaking of the series though, all three of the books in the series so far have concurrent timelines, and all of their stories and some characters overlap. It's especially obvious in this book, so there may be scenes when she's with the other books' FMCs that you might be a little confused about. While I think you could probably get away with reading this book as a stand alone, I think you would enjoy it a lot more if you read the others first. The good news about that is that all of the books in this series are 5 star reads, so it's not a chore!
This book is definitely the spiciest of the series so far, but it's so freaking good! Ellis is deliciously nerdy and so good at doing his research and studying his subject (wink wink).
Just like with all of her books, it's well written, has excellent characters arcs, and is spicy. Highly recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ashareads.
1,081 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 3, 2026
High Voltage is the third book in the Women in Trades series. It can be read as an interconnected standalone, but it’s even more fun if you read the first two books. There are several moments that overlap with the timeline of the previous books and it’s exciting to see those events from Greta’s perspective.

I’ve been looking forward to Greta’s story ever since Under Construction, and it definitely worked so well! The story is told through Greta’s perspective. I loved getting to learn more about her passion for being an electrician as well as uncovering more of her backstory and understanding why she is the way she is. Her love interest, Ellis, is absolutely perfect for her! There were a few surprises along the way! I thought Kate did a wonderful job navigating their love story despite the situations they found themselves in. The moments between Greta and Ellis were so sweet. I also loved seeing beloved side characters from the previous books which made the story even more enjoyable. Plus, we’re introduced to new side characters that are just as easy to fall in love with! I definitely recommend picking this up if you love forbidden romance!

Thank you to the author for the free advanced copy!
Profile Image for Vanessa Symington.
150 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 8, 2026
A truly incredible read. Kate Cole has done it again with this 3rd installment of her Women In Trades Romance series. While it can be read as a standalone, it can be best enjoyed reading these books in sequence as you start to see some of the overlap in timelines. 

Greta and Ellis's story is electrifyingly beautiful. There are tender moments, there are spicy moments, there are moments where Kate Cole reqlly wanted to edge her readers (and she succeeded). This is more than a spicy romance read. It is filled with emotion, challenges, comedy, awareness, and so much more.

There are so many side characters that play crucial roles in this story. Readers get to see healthy parental relationships, uplifting friendships, unique situationships, and colleague dynamics of working in the trades. This book, and this series, is educational AND fun. 

I loved every moment of this story. It is refreshing and whole-heartedly Kate Cole. The level of care and detail that went into every word on every page was clearly well thought out. 
Profile Image for Beth.
791 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 9, 2026
"I’ll selfishly take this just for me, and he can take it just for him. Two people pleasers finally pleasing themselves."


This book was everything I want in a romance and more. Ellis is a sexy green flag professor complete with horny-rimmed glasses and a filthy mouth who met Greta exactly where she was, every single time. Greta, the thrill-seeking junkie who's a master in her field, quietly learns that the way to real happiness is chasing her own dreams, not just everyone else's. Their chemistry is magnetic and only grows as they open up to each other. Truly one of my favorite book couples — High Voltage is swoony, panty-melting, and all over electric!

Kate Cole has absolutely trademarked this series highlighting women in trade positions finding bold, sexy men to stand beside them. I loved catching glimpses of the girl gang from previous books reconnecting, along with the reminder that we're all just humans searching for love, happiness, and joy.
Profile Image for Stephanie - naturally.caffeinated.reader.
444 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 7, 2026
#gifted

Thank you to Kate Cole for the free e-arc. My opinions are being left voluntarily.

I love Kate Coles women in trade series. I love we see some of the previous characters and a glimpse into their life now. Our MMC is down bad from the jump and is literally a walking green flag. I feel like each book I learn more about the trades and the important work taken for granted and the seriousness and what's at stake for those in various industries.

I look forward to Kate Coles next book.

Highly recommend the series.

4.5/5☆
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lexxi.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 3, 2026
Greta and Ellis are so in tune with each other it’s not even funny. From the first sweet note🥰 to the extra studying 🥵 Ellis is top notch BDE and I’m here for it!! If you haven’t read the other two books in the series, please do yourself a favor and read them now!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews